Emergency inflatable recompression unit

ABSTRACT

A portable recompression chamber comprising a flexible container constructed of a high-strength pressure-proof rubber-coated fabric which occupies a small space when collapsed and may be easily transported and inflated for use. Entrance to the chamber is through a long zippered opening.

D United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,729,002 i r 45] Apr. 24, 1973 15 1EMERGENCY INFLATABLE 3,051,164 8/1962 Trexler ..138/1 B X RECOMPRESSIONUNIT FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Donald Miller, PO.Box 543,

K i1 H ii96734 403,792 5/1943 Italy ..128/298 858,376 5 I940 F ..l88l42.4 22 Filed: Apr. 1,1971

[21] Appl. No.: 130,140 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet AssistantExaminerG. F. Dunne 52 us. c1 ..12s/204,'12s/1 B, 128/298 and Roy [51]Int. Cl. ..A6lm 16/02 5 Field of Search ..l28/2O A, 1 B, DIG. 24, [57]ABSTRACT 142 30 A portable recompression chamber comprising a flexiblecontainer constructed of a high-strength pressure- References Citedproof rubber-coated fabric which occupies a small UNITED STATES PATENTSspace when collapsed and may be easily transported and inflated for use.Entrance to the chamber is 2,401,230 5/1946 Colley ..128/298 throughalong zippered opening. 3,602,221 8/197] Bleicken 128/204 1,294,1882/1919 Stelzner 128/298 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented A M-i124,1973 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DONALD MILLER BY; ROY. IVI ILLER ATTORNEY.

I Patented April 24, 1973 v 3,729,002

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fae. 2.

' Patented Apfil24,1 973 3,729,002

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 EMERGENCY IN FLATABLE RECOMPRESSION UNIT STATEMENT OFGOVERNMENT INTEREST v The invention described herein may be manufacturedand used by or for the Government of the United States of America forgovernmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon ortherefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In locations where much diving activity isin progress, it is usual to provide a -recompression chamber withmedical facilities and all other appurtenances necessary for the care ofdivers. These standard chambers are heavy and cumbersome as well asexpensive, and many diving activities have too little diving to supporttheir use. However, when a diver is incapacitated by a diving diseasesuch as bends, air embolism, or spontaneous pneumothorax, it isnecessary for him to have prompt treatment. In such cases it may bedifficult, if not impossible, to provide such treatment early enough tosecure the best results therefrom. Also, routine diving involvescontrolled decompression at times.

The present invention provides an improved recompression chambersuitable for the accommodations of one diver and having the essentialelements necessary for minimum temporary care. The present invention isportable by virtue of its small size and collapsibility. While portablerecompression chambers are available such as that shown in U. S. Pat.No. 2,448,546 to Plemel et al. dated 7 Sept. 1948, none are flexible andcollapsible and therefore as portable as the present invention. Also,none of the available portable recompression chambers provide elongatedentrance means for easy entrance into and out of the chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION not available on the diving site. The period oftime in transportation can be quite expensive, painful and dangerous forthe stricken diver. The present invention is a high-strengthpressure-proof rubber-coated device for transporting the victim under adesirable environmental pressure to a permanent recompression stationand medical aid.

Due to the flexible and collapsible nature of the present invention, itpossesses advantages over presently available recompression chambers inportability, size, weight and cost. Also, due to the extended length ofthe self-sealing entrance to the chamber, stricken divers may enter andexit the chamber with much greater ease than is true with prior artportable recompression chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view showingthe invention fully inflated and in use;

FIG. 2 shows the invention in its deflated state;

,FIG. 3 shows the invention with only the air mattress inflated;

FIG. 4 is cross section IV IV of FIG. 1 showing the self-sealingpressure-proof zipper; and

FIG. 5 is cross section V V of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The emergency inflatablerecompression unit 10 is a flexible container constructed of ahigh-strength pressure-proof rubber-coated fabric. The unit 10 comprisestwo separately inflatable compartments. The larger of the twocompartments is a recompression chamber 12 approximately 28-inches indiameter by -inches long. The smaller compartment is an air mattress 14in the shape of an ovoid rubber raft which supports the recompressionchamber. Attached to the air mattress 14 are handles 15 which areemployed for manually lifting the air mattress and decompressionchamber. The chamber 12 is attached to the air mattress 14 by anyconventional manner such as by straps 17.

A pressurizing system used for inflating both compartments comprises ascuba tank 16 or any other well known air source connected to a highpressure gauge 20, a regulator 22, a low pressure gauge 24, a hand valve26, a flexible hose 18 and a self-sealing quick disconnect coupling 28respectively, all connected in series. A self-sealing quick disconnectnipple 30 is located in air mattress 14 and two self-sealing quickdisconnect nipples 30 are located in manifold 32 of recompressionchamber 12. One of the quick disconnect nipples 30 of the manifold 32may be connected to the pressurization system, while the other isconnected to a commercially available vent valve while provides aircirculation. On each end of recompression chamber 12 is a plexiglassviewing port 34 for allowing observance of a person inside therecompression chamber.

The interior of recompression chamber 12 is made accessible through anopening at the top of the chamber. The opening is closable with aself-sealing pressure-proof zipper 36. Referring to FIG. 4, the chamberis sealed closed by sealing lips 38 after zipper 40 has been closed. Thelateral stress on the zipper is reduced by inserting a metal rod 42through a series of load loops 44 which pass over the top of the zipper.

Along the bottom of the interior of chamber 12 is a nylon mesh support46 approximately attached to the sides of the chamber. When the chamberis inflated, the mesh support 46 is stretched to serve as a cushion forthe stricken diver.

OPERATION Upon discovering a diver with symptoms of one of the divingdiseases, the emergency inflatable recompression unit 10 is removed froma carrying case and folded out on a level surface. The pressurizingsystem is then attached to one or more scuba tanks. The quick disconnectcoupling 28 is then mated to the quick sure regulator is returned tozero pressure, the hand valve is closed and the quick disconnectcoupling 28 is attached to a quick disconnect nipple 30 on manifold 32of the recompression chamber. The pressure regulator is then set for 2psi and the hand valve is opened. The stricken diver enters therecompression chamber, and the self-sealing zipper is closed. The reliefvalve is mounted on the manifold and set to the desired pressure forrecompressing the stricken diver. The pressure regulator is thenadjusted to provide the pressure needed to inflate the recompressionchamber and to relieve the diver of discomfort. The unit is thentransported with the diver into a permanent recompression chamber.

What is claimed is:

1. An emergency inflatable recompression unit comprising:

a flexible, collapsible recompression chamber;

a scalable opening in said chamber for allowing ingress and egress tosaid chamber; an integral ovoid shaped inflatable air mattress attachedto the exterior bottom of said chamber;

pressurization means connected to said chamber for pressurizing saidchamber and said inflatable air mattress including a pressure regulator,an air hose and a self-sealing quick disconnect coupling connected tosaid chamber and said mattress by selfsealing quick disconnect nippleson said chamber and said mattress; and handles attached to said mattressto enable manual carrying of said chamber.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said scalable opening is closable with aslide fastener.

3. The unit of claim 1 wherein there is provided closure means forclosing said sealable opening comprisa zipper running the length of saidopening;

sealing lips running the length of said zipper on the interior of thechamber;

load loops running the length of said opening on the exterior side ofthe zipper; and

a metal rod insertable through said load loops.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said pressurization means comprises:

air supply means;

a high-pressure gauge, said pressure regulator, a low pressure gauge, ahand valve, said air hose and a self-sealing quick disconnect couplingrespectively, being connected in series;

said high pressure gauge being directly connected to said air supplymeans.

5. The unit of claim 1 wherein said opening extends along the length ofsaid chamber.

6. The unit of claim 1 wherein said pressurization means is connectableto said mattress for inflating said mattress.

1. An emergency inflatable recompression unit comprising: a flexible,collapsible recompression chamber; a sealable opening in said chamberfor allowing ingress and egress to said chamber; an integral ovoidshaped inflatable air mattress attached to the exterior bottom of saidchamber; pressurization Means connected to said chamber for pressurizingsaid chamber and said inflatable air mattress including a pressureregulator, an air hose and a self-sealing quick disconnect couplingconnected to said chamber and said mattress by self-sealing quickdisconnect nipples on said chamber and said mattress; and handlesattached to said mattress to enable manual carrying of said chamber. 2.The unit of claim 1 wherein said sealable opening is closable with aslide fastener.
 3. The unit of claim 1 wherein there is provided closuremeans for closing said sealable opening comprising: a zipper running thelength of said opening; sealing lips running the length of said zipperon the interior of the chamber; load loops running the length of saidopening on the exterior side of the zipper; and a metal rod insertablethrough said load loops.
 4. The unit of claim 1 wherein saidpressurization means comprises: air supply means; a high-pressure gauge,said pressure regulator, a low pressure gauge, a hand valve, said airhose and a self-sealing quick disconnect coupling respectively, beingconnected in series; said high pressure gauge being directly connectedto said air supply means.
 5. The unit of claim 1 wherein said openingextends along the length of said chamber.
 6. The unit of claim 1 whereinsaid pressurization means is connectable to said mattress for inflatingsaid mattress.